H.—6.

8

dysentery, 1 to obstruction of the bowels and intestinal paralysis, 1 to Bright's disease and disease of the base of the brain, and 2to senile decay. The comparatively high mortality among males appears to result from the large proportion of acute and necessarily fatal diseases of the nervous system which are received into this Asylum; the proportion of deaths from lung disease is the same as at Auckland. This Asylum was last inspected in January of this year. The following is the report which was then made regarding it: — " 20th January, 1880. " This Asylum has been under examination since the 14th instant. There are now 305 inmates, of whom 207 are males and 98 females. Great relief has been obtained in the male department by the opening of the temporary building at Seacliff, to which 55 patients have already been removed, and which is soon to receive 20 more. But the increase in the numbers continues so steady and rapid that the total accommodation now available for men is barely more than sufficient for existing requirements ; and the female department, from which only three kitchen-women have been removed to Seacliff, is so full that it is necessary for the patients to sleep in the day-rooms, and even in the recreation hall, which, it is feared, will soon have to be given up entirely for their use as a dormitory. " The wards were found, as usual, in excellent order, and the patients quiet and contented to a degree which is quite remarkable considering the disadvantages under which they are treated. Their general health is good. None was found in seclusion. Pour men were under restraint, one because of his suicidal tendencies, the others on account of their being extremely dangerous. Since the overcrowding has been reduced by removals to Seacliff it has not been found necessary to resort to the use of seclusion nearly so much as formerly. " About 80 men and 50 women are industrially employed. Pour men are generally occupied in the shoemaker's shop, where all the boots and shoes required for the institution are made and repaired. Two are assisting in the bakehouse, where bread for about 800 people is now made, and a few others are employed in house-painting, carpentry, and smith-work. " The clothing of the patients is, for the most part, satisfactory ; but some of the men are shabbily dressed, and are permitted to display a contempt for the use of buttons which is quite behind the age. Since last visit in June night attendants have been appointed, and the increase in the number of male patients, together with the opening of the Seacliff establishment, have rendered it necessary to engage another cook and three additional attendants. " The registers and other books are kept with great care and accuracy, and are all fully written up to date. " The arrangements for the safety and comfort of the patients in the building at Seacliff are very satisfactory, and bear evidence to the anxious thought which Mr. Hume has bestowed upon them. This branch establishment, situated in the midst of the bush, is a source of no small trouble. It is under the immediate charge of an experienced attendant and his wife, assisted by four other attendants and a cook. The inmates are healthy and cheerful. About half of them are employed in a variety of occupations out of doors. Some six acres of laud have been cleared, and are now bearing beautiful crops. Much more than than this would have been accomplished had it not been that the labour of the patients has been required in other directions. " The site on which the temporary building has been placed has unfortunately not proved so good as it seemed. Great trouble has been caused by the continual slipping downwards of a bank in the rear of its north wing, wdiich has at last got seriously injured, the concrete walls on which it rests having been partially pushed from underneath it. The engineer in charge is causing a series of deep drains to be made, so as to stop further slipping, and piles are being substituted for the damaged concrete. It appears that over a large area in this district the ground frequently turns out to be of the same treacherous nature as this piece which has given such a disagreeable warning. Instead, therefore, of commencing to build the central block of the new asylum on the piece of ground already prepared, it would be much better to clear and drain by paid labour eight or ten acres, in order that the nature of the ground may be definitely ascertained, and a thoroughly satisfactory site fixed upon with confidence; and then proceed to erect the whole building without delay. It is to be hoped that, if this precaution be taken, not only a safe foundation will be secured, but also a better aspect than the eastern one, which is stated to be unavoidable, if the building is put exactly on the site which has been chosen. It is an object of great importance that the principal dayrooms should face as nearly north as possible, and it was distinctly settled that they would at least have a north-eastern aspect." The measures which were taken to put a stop to the slipping of the ground at the temporary building proved sufficient, and the north wdng has been restored to its position and made safe. A further survey of the reserve having been made, it was found that, by selecting a site about five chains southward of the one which had been previously chosen, a very large amount of cutting would be avoided, as well, apparently, as all risk of slips. A clearing of about ten acres of the surrounding bush and tho excavations of the foundation were arranged for by contract, the patients being relieved of this work, which it was evident they could not overtake with sufficient rapidity. As to turning the front of the building to the sun, the Engineer in Charge of the Middle Island reported that this could not be done to the smallest extent without increasing the cutting at the north end of the site ; and that, having carefully examined the plans with the architect, he was satisfied that the aspect which the building was to have would get as much sun on the main apartments as it was possible to give. Although it was a matter of extreme importance to proceed with this Asylum as quickly as possible, it seemed to me rash to do so without making positively sure of the safety of placing so large and expensive a structure on ground wdiich had so bad a reputation for unsteadiness, and I therefore strongly recommended that, before building operations were sanctioned, the opinion of the Director of the Geological Survey should be obtained as to the nature of the ground and the risk of its slipping. Erom Dr. Hector's report, which has been referred to the architect, it is evident that these risks are not altogether imaginary, and that some delay and expense will be incurred in effectually guarding against them. I understand that it is the intention of the Government to appoint a Eesident Medical Superintendent to this Asylum, and lam strongly of opinion that such au officer is much required. There are